A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Limerick vs. Santiago de Compostela for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Limerick and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Limerick

Limerick is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Limerick and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Limerick and Santiago de Compostela are roughly the same size, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Limerick and is popular for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. It is also home to the Cathedral of Santiago. Limerick is popular for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities.

How is Limerick different from Santiago de Compostela?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santiago de Compostela and Limerick. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Santiago de Compostela has many famous sights for visitors. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.

Limerick is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town is famous for King John's Castle as well as St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. John's Square and Cathedral.

Is the Food Better in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santiago de Compostela is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.

Limerick offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of traditional Irish restaurants and more modern international cuisine. Local specialties to try include Limerick Ham, Cahill's Whiskey Cheese, and Walnut Cheddar.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Santiago de Compostela has something for everybody. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Limerick. It's a student town so much of the nightlife scene centers around the student population. There are lively pubs and clubs around town so it's not hard to have a fun night out.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Limerick does not have a historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Limerick does not have a historic old town.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for hiking. However, Limerick is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.

Limerick is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santiago de Compostela. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.

Limerick is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of brand name chains and independent boutiques in the city center. There are several major shopping streets in town including O'Connell Street, and the pedestrian streets of Bedford Row and Cruises Street.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Limerick or Santiago de Compostela.

Limerick offers lots of family activities. Families will enjoy visiting King John's Castle but for kids who need a break from the sightseeing, there are kid-friendly activities around town like Curraghchase Forest Park and the Peoples Park. Families should also check out the Dreamland Fun Center. Museums like Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum are also fun for the whole family.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Both Limerick and Santiago de Compostela are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Limerick is a good city for couples to visit. There are river cruises, kayaking, and nature to explore. Head to the Curraghchase Forest Park or any of the many beautiful parks around town. Couples can combine history with nature and enjoy a nice, romantic trip through Limerick.

Santiago de Compostela is a nice destination for couples. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Limerick is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Santiago de Compostela. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.

Limerick is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in the area so it can be hard to find other likeminded travelers.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

For students, both Limerick and Santiago de Compostela are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Limerick. The city has a nice student scene with plenty of areas to explore.

Santiago de Compostela is a good city to visit for students. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Limerick and Santiago de Compostela both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Limerick offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus service that travels around town.

Santiago de Compostela has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Limerick or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.

Limerick is somewhat walkable. There are compact and walkable parts to the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Limerick Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Limerick?

How long in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. In our opinion, Santiago de Compostela has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santiago de Compostela than Limerick. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Limerick. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santiago de Compostela, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Limerick. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santiago de Compostela that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Limerick if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santiago de Compostela.

One day in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

The city of Limerick offers museums and nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

The fun-filled destination of Limerick offers nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Limerick. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Limerick is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Limerick. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dublin, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Limerick and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Limerick is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santiago de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Limerick would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Limerick than you might in Santiago de Compostela.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Limerick Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Limerick. When comparing the sizes of Limerick and Santiago de Compostela, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Limerick or Santiago de Compostela?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Limerick or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Limerick as well as Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Limerick for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Limerick is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Limerick average around 16°C (60°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In the summer, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Limerick gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Limerick gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Limerick or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Limerick are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Limerick because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

Limerick is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Limerick averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Limerick gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Limerick usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Limerick gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Limerick or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Limerick during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Limerick this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Limerick is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Limerick in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Limerick gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Limerick usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Limerick gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Limerick or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Limerick and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Limerick for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Limerick is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Limerick average around 9°C (48°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Limerick gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Limerick usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Limerick gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Limerick